TORONTO - The off-season is underway for Masai Ujiri and his staff. Dwane Casey has been signed to a deserved extension and the focus now is on making sure the Raptors build from the seven-game playoff loss to Brooklyn, instead of sinking back into the NBA’s lower tier or languishing in the middle.

With that in mind, here are four burning questions for the franchise:

1. How much is Kyle Lowry worth?

Greivis Vasquez cannot replace what Lowry provides and nobody attainable in the draft or via free agency can either. The team’s heart and soul and top player has to be back.

That said, what is his value on the open market? His representative surely will ask for the max, money similar to the likes of John Wall, Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, Deron Williams and others. The Raptors will balk. Talents like Jeff Teague, Mike Conley Jr., George Hill, Goran Dragic, Jose Calderon and Brandon Jennings make in the $7-8 million US range.